Search

My Veganuary Experience

Veganuary

Launched in January 2014, Veganuary aims to reduce the suffering of animals by inspiring and supporting people across the globe to go vegan for the month of January. Being vegan people do it for several reasons, help end animal suffering, diet or helping the planet. You've seen on my blog that monthly I receive TheVeganKind box. Which is a good monthly book if you are thinking of trying veganism or trying to transition because finding some foods can be a little hard, some have hidden animal derived ingredients. I was asked to take part in Veganuary on the premise that I'd get a Veganuary Starter Kit, which will include vegan treats including Nakd Wholefoods. Also advice and experts to help me through. Some of you may know or not, I am a vegetarian, with hopes of transitioning.

Nakd Nibbles

My first items I was sent on the first week of the New Year, it's the Nakd Nibbles. When the box first came I assumed as it said 'coconut bliss' on the front that it was filled with coconut bliss, until I looked and read the sticker "We love to help the environment, so we reuse our case boxes to make mixed cases :)" Upon opening it's full of various nibble flavours : Mint Humbug, Toffee Treat, Salted Caramel, Strawberries & Cream, Coconut Bliss, Tooty Fruity & Fruit Salad. A little bit more fun in the fact these are old school in flavour - sweet shops anyone? How rare are those now?! These nibbles are bringing back the favourites. Nakd nibbles are made up of Dates (48%), Cashews (24%), Raisins (18%), Cocoa (4%), Toasted Coconut (4%), Rice Flour and Natural Flavouring, so if you're not a fan of dates or raisins - possibly not the best snacks for you. I'm not a huge fan, although I've read Dates are excellent to have in your diet. The nibbles I'd assumed would of been hard but far from it, there soft with a slight chewy factor and the flavours really do come through!

The second item I was sent is by Glastonbury Indigo Herbs, it's a vegan protein powder. I was very happy about that because I've been looking for one and being introduced to this brand has opened up another avenue of products to explore and possibly purchase. This protein powder has is high in the Leucine amino acid, B Vitamins and Magnesium and is a combination of Pea proteins, Pumpkin seed proteins, Rice protein, Hemp protein and Chia Seed protein. I added this to my smoothies daily, I have to say I enjoyed this product better than the Nakd Nibbles, a vegan product to fuel pre & post workouts, I'd recommend this to others who are looking for an alternative and starting at £5.99 for 100g it's worth it.

This review was a long time coming because I didn't feel the support was there and it sat in my drafts as I was a little meh about it. I thought I would of received more products than just the two brands to try if I'm honest. I was told that I'd receive a Veganuary Starter Kit - which I didn't and neither did I get advice & access to experts to help me get through the one month challenge. Although the Veganuary website does supply a product list of vegan food & recipes. I didn't get the first lot of products until after the New Year which is fair enough as it was after the holiday's. There wasn't any advice or help and a week or so after the nibbles were delivered I received the protein powder and a follow up email the week after which was the last week asking for feedback on the experience. I think being that I already don't eat animal produce besides fish here & there it was easier for me but it was shameful that there wasn't help or a variety of products and it seemed like you're just left to your own device. I wasn't asked directly by the Veganuary company it was a PR related challenge but hey at least I found the Glastonbury Indigo Herbs company at of it all, so can't scoff too much. I think if this is a challenge anyone is going to do be prepared and think ahead of time! There's also GoVegan that happens in January which could then help you to start preparing again in December for Veganuary in January.

Are you meat free?
Or ever considered a different dietary lifestyle like this for a month?

I love chicken and beef too much to be vegan :( but I am exploring ways to eat better, free range eggs, halal chicken, no milk from animals. That sort of thing.Would love to see your becoming a vegan post (unless that is here somewhere and i haven't seen it)

Haha that was me & bacon. My nan never thought it was going to happen or last. That's good because it's a little change and being more conscious. I don't think I've even made a full post on why I became meat free, I'm still trying to fully convert.